From the Dispatcher's Desk - Train Ops August 1, 2015

Fun in the Dispatch Booth

With Doug away on vacation for the next couple of weeks, I offered my services as dispatcher and I'm really glad I did. 

 I had a blast this morning dispatching this wonderful layout! To view the images in larger format simply click on an image.
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This view of Nelson Yard looking out the window from my seat at the desk allows me to follow the comings and goings of this busy location on the IPP&W/RP&M.  One thing is for sure...Gord and Colin always have things under control.

Looking ahead through the dispatch booth window offers this overview of the smaller yard at Glen Hammond.  Paul, in the checkered shirt is verifying the cars on Train 318, an eastbounder to Craig Leigh while Bernie, in the white shirt, does the same for his train, number 327, a westbound out of Glen Hammond to Firgrove.  These gentlemen will run their trains as turns and their trains will change numbers for their respective reverse runs.

I am also afforded a picturesque view of the caboose track at Nelson Yard.

This little RP&M 44 tonner holds down the yard switching chores for the railroad on this day.

Train #2 was the first passenger train on the roll with Pat at the helm.  It departed Firgrove earlier and is spotted eastbound at Bell.

Westbound Train #301 was the first freight train out with Chris and Lela crewing.  They departed Craig Leigh earlier in the morning and had already completed their switching at Mount St. Helens when I lensed them at Ironwood.

Train 318 rounds the big curve out of Glen Hammond enroute to Spruce via Blockhouse.

The tail end of 318 passes while the RP&M and Nelson Yard crews work in the big yard.  Colin's son, Paul, is a very capable operator around Nelson Yard.

Train 302 has arrived Bell after departing Firgrove.  This is the opposing train to 301.  Both trains will traverse the entire property.

Moe has a firm handle on Train 15, the Pool Train as he makes a station stop at Spruce.

Meanwhile, Pat aboard passenger train #1 meets Bernie aboard Train 318 in Peter's Pond.

Ya gotta love that dome car!

Not to mention Bernie's great looking GP7 diesel in TH&B colours!

The ore train departs Bell in an easterly direction.  This is Bob's usual cab assignment and he runs this job masterfully each week.

Train 301 held the siding for Paul to bring in 318.  The meet has occurred and Chris is on his way to Spruce.

After a locomotive replacement, Train #1 arrives the depot at Glen Hammond.

Along the sweeping curve.

Pat, in the brown shirt, is at the throttle for Train #1 while John (blue shirt) and Henk assemble their RP&M train in Nelson Yard.  Henk is another of the able, experienced yard operators at Nelson Yard.  Henk ran the show a few times earlier in the year when the other Nelson Yard operators were away.

Steve, Steve and Seanna determine their moves at Bell aboard Train #302.

Paul and Paul have quite a bit of work to do at Ironwood aboard Train 318.

Meanwhile, the other Paul assigns cabeese with his father's CP road switcher.

Bernie has completed his work at Peter's Pond and is spotted climbing the grade westbound into Bell aboard Train 327.  The grade follows Fred's back property line.

I am overjoyed to find my own diesel, a CN RS3 working Train 301 with Chris and Lela as crew.  It traverses the walking path just east of Blockhouse.

Bob has arrived Nelson Yard with the ore train while Paul works the trackage east of the yard.

Fred, the proud papa of the railroad enjoys watching everyone have fun...and that we do...in spades!

This is the RP&M paint scheme Gord applied to his locomotive.

Fred's silhouette can be seen as Colin, Bob and Lela concentrate on their respective moves.

My view from my dispatch desk.  Moe, working Train 15, the Pool Train, sets out some traffic in Glen Hammond while Gord readies his train before heading over to RP&M territory.

Train 302 has completed its work and departs Bell for Peter's Pond.

318 switches out Ironwood working from the west end of the yard.

Aha!  Precious cargo, for sure!

Of course, it will be well looked after by Gord!

Bob, in command of the ore train, meets 318 at Spruce.

Train 311 must tie up in the hole at Mercer to await clearance into Peter's Pond.

The Pool Train gets priority and arrives ahead of 311 while Train 302 is protected on the main in Peter's Pond.

At Mount St. Helens, all of the sidings are trailing for the two Pauls...or should I call them...Paul "squared".

Bernie, aboard 327, conducts his switching moves at Bell while Moe, the operator of the pool train, looks on.

318 in the foreground and train 15, the Pool train at Bell.

Bernie is alone on this day with the 318, having to be conductor and engineer at the same time!

The power for the Pool Train.

Bernie backs his consist onto Track 3 to allow the Pool Train access to RP&M tracks.

Later in the morning, RP&M train #67 climbs the grade out of Pratt's Bottom and will arrive Bell in short order.

Arriving Bell, Train 67 heads over to Track 4.

Track 4 will provide them access to the trailing interchange track and other service tracks they will require.

Their train is tucked nicely on Track 4 at Bell.

Love this beautifully weathered boxcar at Glen Hammond.

Bernie's Train 327 earlier reached Firgrove and is now on its return trip to Glen Hammond as Train 328.  Bernie meets RP&M Train 67 at Bell.

Train 302 terminates at Nelson Yard and the crew takes its power over to the track where Colin has assembled their new consist now designated as Train 312.

Passenger Train #1 with Pat at the helm passes below my dispatcher's booth.  Note the power switch from steam to diesel due to a service interruption earlier in the day. 

The train has left Spruce and will stop at Blockhouse before heading up the grade around Lily, through the trestle and into Glen Hammond.  Pat wishes to thank Fred for bringing out of storage the steam generator car so that his passengers could enjoy a most comfortable ride.  Pat began the day as Train #2 from Firgrove to Craigh Leigh, a run that traverses the entire IPP&W.  At Craig Leigh, Pat took command of Train #1 which you see below.  It is now proceeding westward to Glen Hammond and, eventually, Firgrove at the end of the line.

Passenger Train #2 arrives Glen Hammond.

Train 312 arrives Blockhouse and is about to tackle the grade up to Spruce.

Looks like 312 has work to complete at Blockhouse before taking on that grade.

The Pool Train and Passenger Train #2 meet at Glen Hammond.

The ore train of empties passes through Ironwood on the siding track in a westerly direction.

Earlier on, Lela, aboard Train 311 met Train 328 at Bell.

It's a joy watching train meets and passes.

Bernie is now through Bell and downgrade towards Watkins Siding on the 328.

I have to thank Bernie for his patience and waiting for a couple of trains while sitting on the siding at Bell.

 He-e-e-e-e-re's Bernie!

Steve looks over the track arrangement at Spruce before determining his next set of moves.

 Steve heads around the peninsula to help his crew switch out Ironwood.  When a tandem works Ironwood it is best to have the conductor on one side of the town tracks and the engineer on the other.

Colin and his son, Paul, collaborate on what they wish to do next.

Gord's RP&M diesel.

Bob brings the ore train of empties into Bell.

Bernie is in partial shade as he switches out Cedar Rock, a branchline location which veers off from the main at Peter's Pond.

This is a fun location to switch.

The diesel in dappled shade.

Paul and Paul discuss their decisions at Mount St. Helens.

Their choices must be good ones as they both seem very happy!

Bernie comes downgrade from Cedar Rock and arrives Peter's Pond.

Meanwhile, Paul relaxes in the shade.

His train is protected as it awaits a meet with 312.

Steve is very relaxed at the controls of 312 at Mount St. Helens.

312 working St. Helens.

Love the colour of railroading at Fred's place.

Will I dispatch again?  You betcha...next week!  Can't wait!
Don't worry, Doug..the seat is still yours!  I'm just keeping it warm in your absence!
Have a great day everyone!  
Mike Hamer - Ottawa, Ontario, Canada